The Welsh Government has announced it will not implement the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body's recommended 4.25% pay increase for teachers and school leaders, instead proposing a 3.5% rise. The decision has drawn fierce criticism from education unions, with the National Association of Headteachers Cymru (NAHT) warning of possible industrial action.
Government cites affordability concerns
Cabinet minister for education Anna Brychan confirmed on Monday, July 13, that the government will consult on a 3.5% pay award for qualified teachers and school leaders, arguing that the review body's recommendation is "not affordable" within existing budgets. The announcement follows a delay in publishing the pay review body's report in June, which had already sparked union backlash.
In a written statement, Brychan said the proposed rise would be fully funded by the Welsh Government and would not come from school budgets. She also announced a 5% increase for non-qualified teachers and extended maternity pay as part of the consultation. The minister stated: "I am mindful of the difficult financial circumstances affecting schools and colleges and the implications that unfunded pay awards would have on budgets and staff numbers."
Unions condemn the decision
The NAHT described the move as "deeply disappointing and fundamentally wrong-headed." Rob Kelsall, NAHT's assistant general secretary, said: "The review body was established to provide independent expert advice based on the evidence presented to it about recruitment, retention, workload, and the wider challenges facing the education workforce. If ministers are prepared to disregard that advice when it becomes inconvenient then it is entirely reasonable to ask what the purpose of the process is."
Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, warned: "We will now consult members on next actions and the NAHT will do whatever is appropriate to defend the education of young people and the rights of those that deliver it."
The National Education Union Cymru (NEU Cymru) also criticised the award, stating: "For the second year running Welsh Government have chosen to ignore the recommendation of the Independent Pay Review Body with the announcement of an award that is below the 4.25% in their report." The NEU added: "We expected the Plaid Cymru Government to use its devolved powers and announce a fully-funded pay award. Partial funding and no ring-fencing of those funds simply means that some schools will struggle to balance the books."
Broader pressures on schools
Both unions highlighted that pay is not the only issue facing schools. NAHT Cymru pointed to a growing crisis in additional learning needs (ALN) provision, while the NEU said: "At a time when our members are struggling with unsustainable levels of workload in an attempt to support a rise in the complex needs of learners they teach we back calls for an increase in the allocated funds for ALN."
Other measures and comparison with England
Brychan also announced plans to consult on a single pay scale for classroom teachers, protections for leaders' holiday periods and weekends, and a commitment to double the period of full pay during maternity leave. She said the process for considering pay awards would start earlier in future to allow prompt communication.
In England, teachers will receive a 3.5% pay rise from September, with the Department for Education providing £1.8bn in additional funding but requiring schools to fund the first 1% from existing budgets. The NEU in England has said it is "considering all options" including a formal ballot on strike action.
